Brakes

Dirt Bike Brake Maintenance:
Frequently Asked Questions: Answered!

1. What kind of brakes does my bike have?

Drum brakes

Older bikes have drum brakes. Meanwhile, some newer entry-level bikes still have rear drum brakes. Here, you'll see a covered hub at the centre of the wheel with a short arm connected to a rod for the rear brake or a cable for the front brake.

While drum brakes are low maintenance, you’ll need to keep them adjusted. Also, make sure to lube the cables and linkages to prolong their life.

Disc brakes

Often, new bikes feature front and rear disc brakes. When you operate the brakes, the pads compress the disc (aka the rotor) from both sides. They do this using hydraulic pressure. Your motorcycle's brake lever compresses the hydraulic fluid in the master cylinder. This pressure is transferred to the pistons in the calliper, forcing the brake pads against the disc.

Some vintage and classic motorcycles also use cable-operated disc brakes. These brakes operate in the same way. Yet, instead of hydraulic fluid, use a cable to supply the squeezing force

2. How do I maintain my dirt bike's drum brakes?

Once a year, open your drum brakes to clean them. You can do this using brake cleaner. First, check the cables and rods for stretching or damage and adjust if needed. Next, inspect your brake pads and replace them if they're getting worn and shiny. Also, look for broken or missing springs. Finally, make sure all the moving parts are well-lubricated.

3. How do I maintain my Motocross bike's disc brakes?

Check your brake rotors (aka the discs) and clear away dirt and debris. Ensure the rotors are straight. Look for any cracking, grooving, or rubbing against the brake pads. A dirt bike's disc brakes rely on the compression of hydraulic fluid. If you're a racer or frequent rider, high-performance fluids are available.

Mushy brakes are often the result of the following:

• Air and moisture – Bleed the brakes to remove air bubbles. Flush them thoroughly. Then add new hydraulic fluid to eliminate any moisture.

• Stretched or swollen hoses - The standard rubber hoses of your hydraulic brake system may have signs of stretching or swelling. In this case, you can replace them or upgrade to steel braided brake lines.

4. How often should you change your Motocross bike's brake pads?

The best way to determine if your brake pads need replacing is by examining them. Back brake pads typically wear faster than the front. So, when they wear to approximately 2mm in thickness or to the indicator line found on each pad, it's time to replace them. The time it takes for motorcycle brake pads to wear down will depend on how frequently and aggressively you ride.

Changing the pads before they become too worn is essential. Excessively worn pads will, over time, expose the metal backing plates. This issue results in damage to the disc and brake failure.

5. How to choose the best MX brake pads?

Your choice includes organic, sintered, semi-sintered or ceramic brake pads. Rider preference varies depending on how late and heavy you like to brake.

Organic pads don't cope well with mud, so they are more suitable for street use. Sintered brake pads are heavy-duty stoppers and can handle almost everything. Meanwhile, semi-sintered brake pads combine the quality of an organic brake pad with the endurance of a sintered pad. Finally, ceramic pads are long-lasting and provide excellent braking. They do, though, need time to warm up to achieve their potential. So are best for high-performance bikes or riders with a more aggressive riding style.

6. When should you change your dirt bike brake discs?

Like your brake pads, you will need to replace rotors due to wear and tear. They can also become warped from constant overheating or will crack due to a collision. Over time, they'll become thinner, resulting in reduced braking performance and overheating.

Check your dirt bike owner's manual for minimum thickness. Then measure the brake discs. If they're thinner than recommended, warped or cracked, replace them!

7. Should I consider upgrading to an oversized brake rotor?

Oversized rotors are available for front disc brakes only. They are popular with racers seeking increased and consistent stopping power through improved heat distribution. Everyday trail riders won't notice a difference. However, motocross and supermoto racers who travel at high speeds and brake aggressively may want to consider this upgrade.

8. When do you need to change your off-road bike brake calliper?

Racers who travel at high speeds and brake aggressively may want to upgrade to bigger brake callipers for improved overall braking performance. Otherwise, dirt bike brake callipers usually have a long-life span, so they only need replacing when damaged.

9. When should I change/bleed my MX bike brake fluid?

Air bubbles make brakes feel spongy and affect stopping power. So, it is important to "bleed" the brakes to remove any bubbles. You should also bleed the brake system after replacing the brake fluids. It is time to change the brake fluid when it overheats, absorbs water, or becomes cloudy or contaminated. Manufacturers also recommend changing the brake fluid every one to two years or as part of a major service. Racers who ride at high speeds and aggressively brake will need to change the brake fluid more often than weekend riders. This fact is especially true during the summer months when temperatures are hot.

The best choice, best price, best fit

As most brake parts are year, make and model-specific. So, always use the ' ADD YOUR BIKE ' drop-down menu to ensure an exact fit. For servicing, rebuilding, or upgrading your motorbike brakes, 24MX has all the brake parts you need. Happy braking.